Rep. Chris Gibson is reducing the list of Obamacare-related demands he’d like to see attached to a continuing resolution to fund government operations to one: a repeal of the medical device tax. Many elected officials say the tax deeply unpopular with the American people and small businesses; good government groups, on the other hand, note that it’s even more unpopularwith the health care industry, since the 2.3 percent levy would fall primarily on hospitals.

The tax is expected to provide $30 billion for the Affordable Care Act over 10 years. Gibson notes that several aspects of the ACA have been tweaked since its initial passage — but none of those changes come anywhere near taking that big a chunk out of its funding stream.

The transparency group MapLight concluded that almost $40 million was contributed to members of Congress by interest groups supporting repeal of the medical device tax between March 2010 and the end of 2012. Republicans received $24.4 million; Democrats got $15.3 million.

Here’s Gibson’s release:

Congressman Gibson joined with a bipartisan group of Members today to express support for a solution that would reopen the federal government. The legislation would fund the government and repeal the medical device tax, a proposal that has significant support in the House and Senate. A medical device tax repeal passed the House 270-146 last year and a symbolic vote in the Senate passed 79-20 earlier this year.

His statement on the proposal is as follows:

“Today I joined with a group of Republicans and Democrats on a solution to end the government shutdown. This proposal is a temporary spending measure (CR) that would fund the government through March 31. This CR also repeals the medical device tax included in the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare, a provision that has attracted wide, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. To ensure that we do not increase the deficit as a result, this proposal includes an offset in pension reform.

“Repealing the 2.3% medical device tax would be a significant win for Upstate NY. We have over 18,000 jobs in this industry, including over 5,000 in and around our District. Although this would be the 9th partial repeal of the ACA, it would be without question the most significant action to date for our area.

“This proposal evolved in part from discussions in the “No Labels” group I’m part of – Republican and Democrats who have built friendship and trust across the aisle, allowing us to work together. We need leadership, and I’m proud to be a part of a group that is moving us forward together. We’re calling on House and Senate leadership to bring this proposal up immediately to reopen the government.

“Meanwhile, in the long-term, I will be continuing to advocate for the two provisions I voted for several nights ago – repeal of the special treatment for Congress and protection of the American people from a tax that big business has already been exempted from for 2014. I will also continue to advocate for health care reform that drives down costs, expands access while retaining quality care.

“Without question, we have more to do – but today’s proposal is bipartisan, helps Upstate New York, and reopens our federal government so we can continue to negotiate long-term solutions for economic growth, a balanced budget, and health care reform.”

Background

Repeals/Changes to date to the Affordable Care Act

Eight ACA/Obamacare provisions have been repealed / have had funding rescinded and signed into law:

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